SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. What was wrong with Wakefield's study? Discuss at least 1 variable or approach that should have been controlled or assessed.
   
   
   
   • Consider the source of some of his data (parental memory, for example), the small sample size, and whether he considered other variables (genetics, diet, and so on) that could have resulted in symptoms in these children. 
   
   
   
   


2. Discuss the importance of a control group when using the scientific method.


3. Did Wakefield deserve to be barred from medical practice? 


4. What were the consequences of his inflated conclusions? 

References

Deer, B. (2011). How the case against the MMR vaccine was fixed. BMJ, 342. Retrieved from http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c5347

Schute, N. (2013). Fifteen years after a vaccine scare, a measles epidemic. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/05/21/185801259/fifteen-years-after-a-vaccine-scare-a-measles-epidemic

Science Buddies. (2018). Steps of the scientific method: What is the scientific method? Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/steps-of-the-scientific-method#keyinfo

Taylor, B., Miller, E., Farrington, C. P., Petropoulos, M. C., Favot-Mayaud, I., Li, J., & Waight, P. A. (1999). Autism and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine: No epidemiological evidence for a causal association. The Lancet, 353(9169), 2026-2029. Retrieved from http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(99)01239-8/fulltex

Wakefield, A. J., Murch, S. H., Anthony, A., Linnell, J., Casson, D. M., Malik, M., et al. (1998). RETRACTED: Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. The Lancet, 351. Retrieved from http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(97)11096-0.pdf

Ziv, S. (2015). Andrew Wakefield, father of the anti-vaccine movement, responds to the current measles outbreak for the first time. Retrieved from http://www.newsweek.com/2015/02/20/andrew-wakefield-father-anti-vaccine-movement-sticks-his-story-305836.html